Nonviolence Network In Arab Countries

Our local partners have reported a wave of random arrests and beatings. Bulldozers destroyed public property, while Israeli troops were shooting at civilians with tear gas, sound grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets.

The Nil’in Popular Committee, a local NGO and member of the Nonviolence Network in the Arab Countries (ACNV), reported that by last Monday 50 villagers were injured withrubber-coated steel bullets some of them seriously. Hundreds of people have beenreported to suffer from respiratory problems due to teargas. Freedom of expression was curtailed in an intimidation campaign on journalists carried out by the Israeli military.

During the first days of the siege hospital staff was denied access to the village by theIsraeli army troops and the injured where left with minimal medical support.

The army used bulldozers to bring havoc on the village’s infrastructure, therebydestroying parts of the municipal sewage systems. Shops and businesses stayed closed due to the fighting on the streets, which deprived villagers of much-needed income and materials.

On Monday a small group of supporters from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), also member of ACNV, together with some residents tried to break the siege in order toreach food and medical supplies. Activists were attacked and three of them kidnapped bythe army.

Israeli troops detained several journalist and the international media have hardly takennotice of this blatant attack on basic human rights.

Although the curfew has been lifted on Tuesday, protests will continue. The recent curfew comes just as the most recent addition to a campaign of intimidation and disproportionate force against the villagers of Ni’lin.

We call upon the people and governments of the region, international embassies andagencies, the EU, United Nations and the global peace movement to actively affirm their support for international law and the inviolability of the right of all peoples to human security and freedom, and non-aggression against civilians and medical facilities. We also call for the implementation ruling of the International Court of Justice at the Hagueon July 9, 2004, which deemed the wall illegal and called for its immediate dismantle and the compensation of Palestinians affected by its construction. The world’s court also demanded all organizations, groups and businesses to boycott any company ororganization that is involved in the construction of this illegal wall. We offer our solidarity and support to the victims of Ni’lin.

We offer our solidarity andsupport to all those working to overcome the violence, and working to create through peaceful and nonviolent means a Middle East free of occupation and war.

We want to make a call to reason. A call to peace. A call to promote the Non-violent struggle.